Battle of Almenar

Battle of Almenar
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
Date 27 July 1710 Location hills of Almenar, near Balaguer (Catalonia), Spain Result Grand Alliance victory
Belligerents
Bourbon Spain	Habsburg Austria Kingdom of Great Britain United Provinces
Commanders and leaders
Francisco de Villadarias	Guido Starhemberg Lord Stanhope
Strength
22,000	24,000
Casualties and losses
1,000 dead 3,000 captured	400 dead

The Battle of Almenar took place on 27 July 1710 in the War of the Spanish Succession, between the troops of Phillip V and the Archduke Charles. Philip V's army having been defeated was forced to evacuate Catalonia and regroup behind the Ebro.

Prelude

In spring 1710 the Spanish army had entered Catalonia from Aragón crossing the Segre river on March 15. On May 3, Philip V, the Bourbon claimant to the throne, joined the army.

The opposing allied army, consisting of Austrian, British, and Dutch troops, was joined by Archduke Charles of Austria, the Habsburg claimant, in June.

In July General Guido Starhemberg received reinforcements and decided to attack. He crossed the Noguera river taking up positions on the heights of Almenar.

Stanhope then crossed the Segre at Balaguer (north of Lerida) marching to the bridge of Alfarras, crossing it on 27 July.

The battle

Villadarias opened the battle with a cavalry attack which was initially successful, but the initiative was wasted by pursuing groups of fleeing enemies.

Then the British infantry attacked the left wing which fled, taking the second line with it. Then the Austrians attacked and destroyed the right wing, where Philip V risked his life fighting and was almost captured by the allies.

Aftermath

The Spanish troops had to leave Catalonia and withdraw to Aragón, where the Battle of Saragossa took place on August 20.

Villadarias was relieved of his command and replaced by the Marquis de Bay.

References

• Lynn, John A. The Wars of Louis XIV, 1667–1714. Longman, (1999). ISBN 0-582-05629-2